Faucet



UN STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH GOODRIDGE, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BOSTON FAUCET COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FAUCET.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 15,719, dated September 9, 1856.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH GooDRIDGn, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in the Self-Closing Liquor-Faucetor Stop-Cock, as patented by David N. B. Coliin, Jr., on the ninth day of January, A. D. 1855; and I do hereby declare that the same are fully described and represented in the following specification and the accompanying drawings, `of which- Figure 1, is an external elevation of one of my improved faucets. Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section of it. Fig. 3, is a side View of one of its vulcanized caoutchouc springs.

The subject of the` patent of the said coflin consisted in lthe arrangement and application of an elastic packing, so that it should perform two functions viz. that of packing the valve stem and that of constantly pressing the valve toward its seat. In the construction of a stop cock of this description, it has been a matter of necessity to use a spring packing made of a coinposition of caoutchouc and sulfur, the same being vulcanized or subjected to a high degree of heat. An important difficulty however has arisen in the employment of the vulcanized rubber or caoutchouc; for it has been found that in consequence of the action of it, or some property incident to it, on the copper, or composition of copper and other metal or metals used in making the faucet, such spring packing would closely adhere to the metal, and consequently when the packing was made of the cylindrical form and applied to the faucet, as shown in the specification or drawing of the patent of the said coflin, it would soon become inoperative as by oxidation of the metal it would so stick to the surfaces against which itwas forced as to become firmly set. In order to obviate this evil, I construct the spring packing of a tapering or frusto conical form as shown in Figs. 2, and 3, where it is seen at c, and this in order that when' it is inserted in the neck b, of the faucet there may be around it or between it and the inner surface of the said neck a space m, m, which I term an expanson chamber, as by means of it, the spring packing, when contracted lengthwise or vertically, and while the valve a, is being raised above its seat, It, 71 will be able to expand without being brought into such contact with the upright sides of the neck as to adhere thereto by oxidation of the metal produced by the action of the sulfur of the caoutchouc, or by some other means incident thereto. I also censtruct the spring packing with a lip or iange, n, n, to lap on the upper edge of the neck l), b, and to receive a metallic cap o r annulus c', which when in place as shown in Fig. 2, and forced down into close contact with the rubber spring soon becomes cemented or fixed to the latter, and thereby prevents the spring from adhering to the screw cap, d, of the faucet, as when it does so, it is difficult, if not impossible to remove the screw cap from the neck without injuring the `rubber spring, or so twisting it as to tear or break it. Furthermore, by making the vulcanized rubber spring packing with a iange a, n, such will soon so adhere to the top edge of the neck as to make a water tight joint, the adhesion of this particular part of the packing to the top edge of t-he neck being productive of great advantage. Furthermore, when the foot of the springpacking bears against the shoulder of the valve stem I form in such shoulder an annular trough or groove, P, P, for the reception of the said foot or lower end of the spring packing, the groove being formed so as to enable the packing to be pressed closely into it. Under these circumstances, and after the vulcanized india rubber packing has been crowded into the groove, oxidation of the metal of the valve will take place, and cement or so rmly attach the packing to the stemA or valve as to make a water tight joint between them.

In the drawings, the lever for elevating the valve, a, is shown at, L, and is jointed to the valve stem, e.

My faucet with reference to that of the said Coiiin, is to be considered only in the light of an improved article, and therefore a patent granted on my invention, is lto be viewed as subordinate to that of the said Coflin.

I would further remark, that I do not make the spring tapering, or surround it by a space, m, m, merely to enable it to perform its function of expansion and contraction, for this the spring can do without any such space, which is only necessary to prevent the oxidation of the metal, which results from the use of vulcanized india rubber, from causing the rubber spring to adhere to the sides or adjacent surface so as to prevent it from performing its proper funct-ion. So with regard to the annular groove disposed around and on the valve stem as specified, I lay no claim to connecting two things together under ordinary circumstances, by a groove and dovetail joint, but here the specific application of a groove, or the arrangement of it around and on the valve stem and for the reception of the vulcanized rubber spring, produces a new and useful effect in the faucet, that is to say, it enables the rubber to oXidize the inclosed surfaces and thereby make a water tight joint; and besides this, it prevents t-he foot of the rubber spring from spreading out against the sides of the chamber of the faucet, while the spring is contracted, thus preventing adhesion of the foot of the spring to such sides. Therefore in the particular relation or arrangement of the annular groove in the particular self closing faucet it is productive of functions, new with reference to the same.

I claiml. Arranging. between the caoutchouc spring and the screw cap of the neck of the faucet, a metallic annulus or guard ring, in order to prevent the adhesion of the cap to the india rubber spring, not meaning to claim a metallic washer as ordinarily used, but the specific application of a metallic ring to prevent a difficulty incident to the peculiar relation of parts as described.

2. I also claim the arrangement of the annular groove in the stem of the valve, and with reference to the sides of the spring or valve chamber in manner and for the purpose, or so as to produce the new and useful result as specified, the said groove being intended to receive the foot of the spring made tapering, or frusto conical, in manner and for the purpose of prevent-ing it from being caused to adhere to the sides of the said chamber by oxidation of the metal under circumstances as herein before explained.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set j my signature this 28th day of June A. D.

JOSEPH GOODRIDGE. I/Vtnesses:

R. H. EDDY, F. l). I-IALE, Jr.

aft 

